“Draven...” Hunter straightened. Then looked away. Lifting his hand slowly and realizing his pants were in them. He quickly stepped in.
Trying to put some manner between him and the fierce, dark-haired Alpha, who was now staring at us from across the spread of leaves and grass between the trees. He had his arms crossed across his chest and blatant fury on his face.
How’d he know?
In my panic, I bit my cheek and tucked my body against Hunter in an effort to hide all my bare flesh from the angry Alpha looking me up and down disdainfully.
Apparently unamused by my nudity.
“My Alpha.” Hunter lowered his head in deference. “We were merely out for a morning frolic.”
“That wasn’t what I asked.”
“Our intent wasn’t to defy you.” Hunter said quietly.
“But you did nonetheless.”
“We only-”
“Enough!&rdq
It’s too late now. I thought. Even if I’d wanted to change my mind, it wasn’t like we could go back out there and persuade Draven to have some mercy.He’s not the merciful type.No one would buy that he’d just changed his mind after making a declaration like that, anyway.I felt my anxiety climbing every second that passed. Hunter and Racer picked up the bags. Vanquish turned me around and started guiding me out.Draven and a few of the other Border Guards walked behind us.To make certain we were leaving.That we’re obeying the Alpha.A crowd had gathered near the big blue door in the gate and as we were ushered through, I walked by Lyra Lani and saw her giving me a look beneath hooded lashes.She knows what’s going on. That reassured me somewhat that this was the act that I’d suspected it was. I took a long breath. Daring a p
I knew his posture. I’d seen him take it when he was doing things which he felt like were his duty.Don’t go. It was all I could think. Whimpering as I watched them. Catching BailaLae’s wrist and hanging on with planted feet until she had to tug me loose.Aviari caught her shoulders and turned her away from me, even though I could hear her sobbing.“She’ll be okay.” He told her.But it seemed like Aviari’s larger than life personality waned in that moment and we all knew he wasn’t wholly certain.He’d sounded scared.Then mom and dad had gotten home. Both of them cut and badly beaten. It was long after the little boys had already gone to bed.They’d told our older siblings goodbye upstairs. While they followed them around. Tossing out their clothes as they tried to pack them. Begging them to stay.For the first time, I wondered at how hard it must&rsq
By the time Hunter returned, his face was solemn. “You found a hideout.” I filled in. Hunter nodded slowly. “There’s only a few wolves there now, if that’s what you can call them.” He frowned. “They’re hardly that.” “Are you sure this is what you want?” Vanquish queried. His hands landing on my shoulders as he tipped down to be level with my face. I nodded stiltedly. “I have some rage I’d like to expend on their kind.” “Keep in mind that many of the NightHunters were different packs before they were taken over.” “They chose to succumb. They didn’t have to.” I didn’t. “As you wish.” Vanquish rolled his shoulders and steadied himself. “Here.” Racer walked over and handed me the handle of an ornately carved knife. It was narrow and smooth, winding with vines. It was small and fit very well in my palm. “Keep this on you at all times.” My eyes flew to his face. “Did you make this?” He lowered
I crouched and as the wolf leapt, I slid to my back and lifted the blade to jam it into the wolf’s underside. Dragging it the length of the beast’s body. Splitting it open and sending its entrails spilling onto the floor. The second man was a heartbeat behind him and was suddenly over me. He dropped to his knees to hover over me, pinning me to the ground and lifted his fists to begin pummeling me. I instinctively threw my arms over my face to block his hits but before they could rain down on me the original black wolf with white striped over his shoulders and framing the sides of his snout thudded across the room and hit the man so violently that he sent him tumbling off me. The man spun on to his feet to confront the wolf but by now the other two who looked so similar to the original, were slinking closer. Their thickly muscled shoulders bunching and curving over them as they edged threatening forward. Their pointed teeth bared in vicious snarls which indicated thei
“What did you say, Vanna Rae?” Vanquish was urging. I gave him a befuddled look. Trying to recall what it was he was talking about. My brain felt as if it were made of pudding. It was hard to filter through even very recent thoughts. I felt like a fool that it took me so long to catch up. He’s asking about the name. What I said… “What was the word you just said?” He persisted. “Gallions…” I whispered. Feeling as though I was giving away some great secret. In my head I had begun to know. But I wasn’t ready to tell all of them yet. But it’s time now. “Why did you say that?” He asked under his breath. “It’s what I was…” “You were a Gallion?” He seemed incredulous. Clearly knowing the name of the greatest wolf royalty in recent times. “One of the heirs.” I nodded slightly. But Rebekah’s cutting voice drew my attention. “Don’t move!” She doesn’t want me m
“Who?” Vanquish lowered my head carefully to the floor before standing over me.Preparing to get very aggressive with Magnus.Quickly, from the look of it. If Magnus doesn’t start talking.“Are you Gallion?” Magnus’ gaze was locked on me. Fully prepared to ignore Vanquish closing in on him. Breathing raggedly and exuding fury as if he were already prepared to pounce.“Yes..” I whispered.Magnus did an excited little hop in the doorway.“It’s her, Hawk!” He barely tossed over his shoulder. “I was right. Zyra was right…”“Zyra?” Vanquish growled.“My mate.” Magnus gave him a surprised glance, as if only now, seeing him for the first time. “She thought Vanna Rae was the one…”“The one what?” Hunterjoined Vanquish. Shoulder to shoulder with him, crowding Magnus fr
Vanquish grunted. Then made a sound which I was fairly certain was a low chuckle. He caught the hair at my forehead in a fist and used it to push my head back against his leg. So, I was laid flat again. “So fierce, my little mate.” He murmured. Both pride and arousal brightening his eyes. I growled in warning, and swatted his hand to make his grip lighten. He’s reminding me, he’s dominant. I recognized. I know! My lip curled slightly. I had to remind myself again of the tenuous line I walked being mated to three aggressive men. I could lose control of them if I’m not careful. If any one of them decided they needed to take over our group instead of letting me run it, I could be put in my place as most she-wolves were. That would be unbearable. I liked things as they were. On my terms. I saw in my mind a shadow of a future where they tore at each other as they f
“You’re going to need me?” I said nervously. Chewing my cheek. I’d already dealt with another Mating Moon since that first one. It hadn’t been nearly as brutal.Still…“Yes.” Vanquish nodded. “But I don’t think that’s what he means.”“I mean they’re going to scent you a mile away.” Racer warned in a dangerous tone. “I’m not letting you go anywhere near that camp.”Shit.I wanted to go. Wanted to see how big their force was. And what resources they have.Magnus walked through the trees. Catching the tail end of the conversation. “He’s right, you know? I was standing downwind from you and could smell you down the hill.&rdq
Marta was willing to follow Lorem to the ends of Ferus.It made me consider how far I’d go to be loyal to my mates.What would I do for them?How many awful things would they have to do before my image of them changed?My instant thought was that they would never do something like what Lorem had.It’s not even a comparison.I looked at Marta.“My father should’ve banished you from the pack with Lorem.” Draven murmured. “I wonder how you’d have fared then?”“I’d have been with him.” She clawed at Fury’s grip but that was like trying to get a tree to release a trunk.He’s unmoveable.“What you want to do with her?” Fury asked.“Take her with us.” Draven said. “We’ll give her to the NightHunters and let them toy with her awhile.”Marta looked intensely nervous despite all her bravado.I bit my lower lip. Pitying her a bit for her fate.***Fury, Killian and Aviari had been talking ahead of us. Our army of wolves and mages were tromping through the woods so loudly that there was no mistak
“Her smell has changed.” Draven was staring at me as he announced it.I skittered into a sitting position. Reflexively drifting backward to put more space between he and I. Trying to protect myself.Which I’d suddenly had a much stronger urge to do, today.“I know.” Vanquish said. Rolling to lean up and give me a warm look over Hunter’s shoulder.I flushed. Biting my lip.How can they already know?I’m not even sure yet.“The Asara’s first pups are being carried by the Gallion Princess.” Vanquish murmured proudly. Meeting my gaze with infinite tenderness.My males all stretched to reverently place their palms over my flat belly. Rubbing it soothingly in a way that had me leaning back. Offering myself to more of their touch.I subconsciously flattened back out and ducked my forehead against Racer’s chest. Avoiding everyone’s permeating study and finding comfort in the warmth of my mate.Lyra Lani’s voice rose. “That’s why you’d not share the drink!”I nodded slowly without looking at h
I knew I’d hugged Lyra Lani a bit longer than I needed to but it was so nice to receive affection from a female after so long with only my mates for company. I gave her another quick squeezer before letting her go. She slid her hands down my arms and did the responding squeeze to my fingers right before she let them fall. Reassuring me that I had her support. And that she’s here. Her kindness nearly brought a tear to my eye. Hearing Killian’s voice behind me, I peered back at him. He bobbed his head in greeting and waved his hands in a motion for me to come to him. I did. Returning to hug him just as eagerly. I didn’t know how many times I’d embraced he and Aviari and BailaLae now, but I was beginning to feel like it would never feel like enough. Probably because I’m so scared of losing them again. Giving his dark, waving hair, a fond caress before turning my attention back to the girl
“Perhaps they do.” Killian nodded to the three identical males stepping into the small grove. My blood coated mates. They, all three, looked exhausted but unharmed. Thank Heavens! I was incredibly relieved to see them okay. Glad that the sounds of battle had died down. We won. Seeing how shaken I appeared, Vanquish immediately whirled to see the others appearing from the camp. “What’s going on?” He backed up toward me. Casting a worried glance over his shoulder before eyeing all the mages pouring from behind trees and the edges of the camp. Looking at them all just as warily as he had the first time, he’d seen them.
I flattened my back against the tree and held my breath. Praying that no one would hear me. That my bits of torn clothes wouldn’t guide them. And that I would still be whole by the time my mates returned from ambushing the camp. Please. I held one hand over my stomach. The other over my mouth to hush any sound escaping my throat. Boiling fear nearly paralyzing me. Making me feel choked as if I’d never get another breath of air through my throat. I felt the urge to move one of my legs, to alleviate the ache boring through me from my mates loving last night but I didn’t dare move. Stay quiet. I was reminding myself over and over in a steady chant. I’d never been so relieved when I saw the face of the dark-haired girl peek around a tree a distance from me and meet my look. I blew a relieved breath. Recognizing her immediately as my brother’s mate. Jade was her name. I recalled. Feeling my whole body rela
Just then Hunter scampered up to us. “I got his line.” “Which way.” “Headed North.” “Toward the WildWood?” Vanquish asked in surprise. “He must be thinking if he can make it there, we won’t follow him in.” Racer suggested. “We can’t.” Vanquish agreed. “Not with the wolf-hunting-Roamer there.” “What’s that?” I asked. “A troll. I think.” Racer murmured. “A giant. He hunts anything with fur and ears that seems like it might be a wolf.” “Why?” “It’s said that a vicious mage cursed him to forever be trying to destroy the Moontower Mob.” I gave him a questioning look. “Really?” Vanquish groaned. “Memory loss.” I tapped my head pointedly. “There was a castle beyond the WildWood-” “It’s still there.” Hunter injected. “I’ve glimpsed its ramparts now and then.” “Truly?” Even Racer looked surprised. And he’s usually the historian amongst us. V
The morning was chilly and there was a knock at my door very early. Hunter rolled to his feet from before me. Walking barefoot to pull open the door. Heedless of the fact that he was entirely naked. I lifted my head enough to see Killian was there. I moved to rise but Vanquish’s arm draped over me kept me from going anywhere. “It’s time.” He murmured from the doorway. “Get dressed.” “Time to fight?” “Not you.” Aviari joined Killian near the doorway, staying just from view. Unwilling to glimpse me in here with my mates. Even though my nakedness was shielded by Racer lying between us and the door. Killian glanced at him to the side of the doorway then back at me. “You’re going ahead to find the next camp for us…To track the NightHunter.” “What are you going to do?” I asked warily. “We’re going to confront the beast after us.” Killian said blandly. I could feel the rise of Aviari’s glee at
Racer’s fists dug into my hair. Pulling my face harder against him. But this time he brought me against the base of him. Pressing so far into my throat I couldn’t breathe. “Ah. Ah. Ahhh.” He too shuddered with pleasure. His head falling back, and his entire body angled toward my face in offering as his nerve endings exploded with life. I licked along his length. Coaxing the last few drops out of him until he too yelped in objection because he was so overly sensitive from his rough climax. He stumbled backward and dropped to the floor. Lying on his back as spent as his brother. But Vanquish was staring at me. His green eyes unblinking. Unwilling to allow me from his sight for even a moment. The intensity of him was nearly overwhelming. With his brothers out of the way he rolled us over. Hooking my thigh with his knee and turning me onto all fours, aligning him with me still. He re-entered me. Flexing through me. His power evide
That night we scattered to the emptied huts. I had no time to even look at the others. As soon as the strange ceremony was finished and wolves began to scatter to obey their new King of Alphas, I was pulled backward into the hut we’d still been standing in the doorway of. Racer kicked the door closed and all three sets of eyes landed on me. I sighed. A bit nervous that their aggression might be more than I could take tonight after the violent beating I’d endured. “Be gentle, Lovers.” I breathed. Waving them toward me. They nodded gravely. Knowing how careful they would have to be. All of them nearly shook with expectation. The pink haze of the Mating Moon was now in full effect, and it was reflected in the hardened arousal of my mates. I bid Vanquish to me and he dropped to his knees before me. Lifting me over his bent knees to settle down on him. Hunter slid in behind me. Crossing his knees next to Vanquish’s a